Her CEO Stalker and Her Second Chance Mate (Adelaide) novel Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Carter

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“Easy, Martha,” I said sternly, gripping her shoulder. “Her ribs are broken.”

Martha immediately pulled back. “I’m so sorry, child, I was just so excited to meet you.”

Briar recovered bravely just nodding before saying she was okay.

“Henry! Get your ass out here! Our grandbaby is here!” That was all the proof I needed.

Martha had just claimed Brair’s golden ticket, though he didn’t need to know that just yet. I’d

need more information, the kind I couldn’t come by at the office. The kind that meant I

needed to spend more time with Briar; now, that, I could do.

Old Henry Anderson’s massive form blocked the light from the house as he filled the doorway.

The old-timer may have aged, but he was still built with sinew and muscle. He studied Briar,

undeniable recognition catching him off guard. Emotion overtook him as tears filled his eyes.

I’d never seen Henry emotional; even when Jake died, he had been like a sequoia tree of

strength to Martha.

“Welcome home, pumpkin,” he said, pulling her in gently and petting her hair. Briar’s

shuttered breath told me a lot, even though she quickly pulled away and tried to stop the

mascara before it could run down her face. She had been alone too long; people like us needed

our community to lean on. All she ever had before was her mom and Jake, from what little she

told me. I’d be fixing that one way or another. I took her hand, interlacing our fingers, as

Martha guided us inside. She let me, and when I squeezed her hand in support, the look of

thanks and appreciation on her beautiful face was almost more than I could take. Time

seemed to pause, a soft vibration hummed between our connected hands. A throat cleared,

while Briar’s attention shifted to the humble cabin with its expert craftsmanship, mine landed

on her over observant grandpa. I guess this was going to take some adjustment. I shrugged at

him, he glared back, as Martha babbled in the background, and I waited to see if Henry had

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Chapter 44

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something to say about it. He said nothing, but gave me a look that said: hurt her and you die.

I dipped my head submitting, letting him know I understood. I released her hand and wrapped

my arm around her cupping her hip and pulling her gently into my side. It was an unspoken

response, not a chance in hell would I harm this woman. Ninety percent of communication by

people like us was body language. He grunted with a half nod in acceptance. Well, that was

easy, now I had to wait out this woman.

“You are just in time, dinner is just coming out, I hope you like lasagna,” Martha mushed, as

Briar’s eyes tried to take everything in; the cozy kitchen, the four chairs at the handmade

dining table, and the rustic looking stove. Briar seemed to appreciate the simplicity of the

place, her eyes roving over all the simple decor and furnishings, searching for something. She

seemed to suddenly relax, something she hadn’t really completely done in my presence yet.

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